Why is a child going “Na-na, na-na-na!” annoying the world over? I read recently that kids do a version of this in every culture and country. Fred Corbett, London Send new questions to [email protected].
Maybe it’s just that an annoying child is involved? Dorkalicious It means: “See, I was right,” or “Gotcha,” or “Told you so!” It’s not annoying. It shows a child feels empowered, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
LorLala I remember, some years ago, seeing film of Chinese children of nursery age in a playground chanting the familiar na-na, na-na naa-naaa. Same tune and inflexion as their British and European counterparts. I have often wondered about this.
Are there other universal language traits among very young children that transcend international boundaries? Arunrising Spain, no idea. In Germany (at least in Bavaria), and most definitely in Austria, it is chanted followed by an “ätsch-bätsch” (“Fooled you!”). bricklayersoption I was once on holiday in Cyprus and I heard a child saying “na na na na naaa”, a chorus that was picked up by almost every child on the beach within moments.
It became rather moving, the thought of the phrase (?) transcending language barriers, etc. guineapigs Almost anywhere else, perhaps. But there in particular, almost certainly everyone else on the beach was also British: 10% of Cyprus coastline is British Overseas Territory. HaveYouFedTheFish I think it’s annoying mainly because it’s done to annoy … Philthewells Is it really annoying?
It’s cheeky, it’s provocative, it’s done to annoy. I’ve spent a few minutes to think back over the years – mostly it hasn’t annoyed me, and most times I’ve probably done it back, especially as an adult. So we’ve both gone “na-na na-na-na” at each other with all the trimmings, thumbs in ears with elk horns, tongue out – what now?
Extract — continue reading at the source.
